The Fanatic (2019 film)

Last updated

The Fanatic
The Fanatic - release poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Fred Durst
Screenplay by
  • Dave Bekerman
  • Fred Durst
Story byFred Durst
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Conrad W. Hall
Edited by
  • Malcolm Crowe
  • Nik Voytas
Music by
Production
companies
  • VMI Worldwide
  • Pretzel Fang Productions
  • Wonderfilm
  • Media Finance Capital
  • Bill Kenwright Films
Distributed by
Release date
  • August 30, 2019 (2019-08-30)(United States)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3,153 [1]

The Fanatic is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed and co-written by Fred Durst. It stars John Travolta as Moose, an autistic man who develops an unhealthy obsession with his favorite actor Hunter Dunbar (Devon Sawa) and stalks him. The film was given a limited theatrical and a VOD release, on August 30, 2019 by Quiver Distribution and Redbox Entertainment, and received mainly negative reviews, with some praise towards Travolta's performance.

Contents

Plot

Moose is a man with autism who works as a street performer on Hollywood Boulevard. An avid film buff, Moose fills his apartment with memorabilia from various movies, including those of cult movie star Hunter Dunbar, with whom he has developed an unhealthy parasocial obsession. When Moose finally gets an opportunity to meet him and get an autograph, he loses his chance when Dunbar's ex-wife abruptly arrives and starts an argument. As Dunbar storms away, Moose follows him begging for an autograph, only for Dunbar to angrily accost him.

Later Moose's friend, a young paparazzi named Leah, shows Moose a mobile app that publishes the home addresses of famous celebrities, including Dunbar. Moose goes to Dunbar's house and tries to give him a letter while also begging him for an autograph. Dunbar, fearing for his young son's safety around Moose, threatens him and tells him to stay out of their neighborhood. Moose comes back again and climbs a fence, but is scared off by Dunbar's housekeeper. Despondent, Moose gets into an argument with Leah and then physically attacks Todd, a crude street performer who had earlier harassed him.

Moose returns to Dunbar's home and is once again confronted by Dunbar's housekeeper. When she attacks him, he pushes her away, inadvertently causing her to fall and strike her head on a stone fountain, killing her. He sneaks into Dunbar's house, going through his personal belongings before hiding in a closet. Later, Dunbar returns home and falls asleep. Moose touches his body and takes photos next to him, which he uploads onto his social media accounts before fleeing.

The following day, Dunbar sees Moose on his street and threatens to kill him if he sees him again. Moose suffers a complete mental breakdown and burns all of his Hunter Dunbar memorabilia. Leah visits him and confronts him about his behavior, threatening to go to the police for his own good, but Moose kicks her out of his home.

Moose returns to Dunbar's while he's asleep and ties him to his bed. When Dunbar wakes up, he sees Moose lying on the floor, appearing to have killed himself, only for Moose to start laughing and get up. Next, Moose dresses up in a Jason Voorhees mask and pretends to stab Dunbar, but his blade is revealed to be a retractable prop knife. A terrified Dunbar pleads for Moose to let him go with promises of autographs and friendship. Moose agrees and unties Dunbar, who brutally attacks him. After shooting off Moose's fingers with a concealed rifle and stabbing him in the eye, Dunbar collapses, shocked by his own actions. Dunbar regains his composure and calmly escorts Moose out of his home.

Moose wanders the streets of Hollywood, sobbing and passing tourists who request to take photos with him, believing his wounds to be realistic makeup, before Leah finds him and takes him to a hospital. Meanwhile, Dunbar is seen being arrested by the police, who mistakenly assume he killed his housekeeper.

Cast

Production

Development

Pretzel Fang produced the film with VMI Worldwide, Wonderfilm Media, Media Finance Capital, Primal Film LLC and Quiver Distribution funded the film. [2] In March 2018, principal photography began in Birmingham, Alabama. [2] [3] Redbox Entertainment also funded the film in exchange for release via the Redbox kiosks and streaming services. [4]

Reception

Box office

The Fanatic earned $3,153 from 52 theaters in the U.S. on its opening day, making it a US box-office failure. [1] [5] [6]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 14% based on 76 reviews, with an average score of 3.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "John Travolta gives it his oddly coiffed all, but The Fanatic rings hollow as an examination of the way fan appreciation can curdle into toxic obsession." [7] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 18 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike". [8]

NPR's Simon Abrams gave the film a negative review, calling it a noticeable downgrade from director Fred Durst's The Education of Charlie Banks and The Longshots , and labeling the work a "miserable psychodrama." Specific elements attracting criticism included the "cliché-filled voiceover narration" and "a bunch of scenes where Travolta zealously overacts". [9] Glenn Kenny of The New York Times also wrote a negative review of the film, arguing that it "delineates the border that separates the merely stale from the genuinely rancid." [10]

In a positive review, Josh Millican of Dread Central called the film "a riveting indie with genuine suspense", and he praised both Travolta's and Sawa's performances. [11]

Despite the negative reviews, Travolta has defended the film, saying he was very proud of it in a 2020 interview. [12]

Accolades

The film was nominated for three Golden Raspberry Awards, Worst Picture, Worst Director (Fred Durst), and Worst Actor which John Travolta won (also for his performance in Trading Paint ). [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limp Bizkit</span> American nu metal band

Limp Bizkit is an American nu metal band from Jacksonville, Florida. Its lineup consists of lead vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland, turntablist DJ Lethal and bassist Sam Rivers. The band's music is marked by Durst's angry vocal delivery and Borland's sonic experimentation. Borland's elaborate visual appearance, which includes face and body paint, masks, and uniforms, also plays a large role in Limp Bizkit's live shows. The band has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, sold 40 million records worldwide, and won several other awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Travolta</span> American actor (born 1954)

John Joseph Travolta is an American actor. Travolta began acting in television before transitioning into a leading man in films. His accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and a BAFTA Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devon Sawa</span> Canadian actor (b. 1978)

Devon Edward Sawa is a Canadian actor. Sawa began acting when he was a teenager and appeared in several films in the 1990s including Little Giants, Casper, Now and Then, Wild America, Idle Hands, and Final Destination. He also portrayed the title character of the Eminem music video "Stan" and starred as Owen Elliot in The CW action spy drama series Nikita. In addition, he has played several roles in the USA Network & Syfy horror series Chucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Durst</span> American musician

William Frederick Durst is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and director. He is the frontman and lyricist of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, formed in 1994, with whom he has released six studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Preston</span> American actress (1962–2020)

Kelly Kamalelehua Smith, known professionally as Kelly Preston, was an American actress. She appeared in more than 60 television and film productions, including Mischief (1985), Twins (1988), Jerry Maguire (1996), and For Love of the Game (1999). She married John Travolta in 1991, and collaborated with him on the comedy film The Experts (1989) and the biographical film Gotti (2018). She also starred in the films SpaceCamp (1986), The Cat in the Hat (2003), What a Girl Wants (2003), Sky High (2005), and Old Dogs (2009).

<i>Results May Vary</i> 2003 studio album by Limp Bizkit

Results May Vary is the fourth studio album by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit, released on September 23, 2003, through Flip and Interscope Records. It is the band's only release under the sole-leadership of vocalist Fred Durst after the temporary departure of guitarist Wes Borland, who left in 2001. Guitarist Mike Smith was brought in to replace Borland, although his time with the band was brief, and Durst along with a number of guests ended up handling the majority of the album's guitar work.

<i>Little Nicky</i> 2000 film by Steven Brill

Little Nicky is a 2000 American fantasy comedy film directed by Steven Brill, written by Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler, and Brill, and starring Sandler in the title role, Patricia Arquette, Harvey Keitel, Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., Rhys Ifans, and Rodney Dangerfield with supporting roles by Allen Covert, Kevin Nealon, Jon Lovitz, Michael McKean, and Quentin Tarantino.

<i>Three Dollar Bill, Yall</i> 1997 studio album by Limp Bizkit

Three Dollar Bill, Y'all is the debut studio album by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit, released on July 1, 1997, through Flip and Interscope Records. It established the band's trademark sound with the singles "Counterfeit", which was influenced by hip hop and heavy metal, and "Faith", a cover of the song of the same name by George Michael. Limp Bizkit's rearrangement of the song incorporated heavier guitar playing by Wes Borland and scratching by DJ Lethal.

<i>Basic</i> (film) 2003 film by John McTiernan

Basic is a 2003 mystery-action thriller film directed by John McTiernan, written by James Vanderbilt, and starring John Travolta, Connie Nielsen and Samuel L. Jackson. It is the second film starring Travolta and Jackson after working on Pulp Fiction. The story follows a DEA agent solving the mystery of a bungled training exercise that leads to the deaths of multiple Army Ranger trainees and their instructor. Basic received negative reviews from critics regarding its overall plot and numerous twist endings. It was a box-office bomb, grossing only $42.8 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. As of 2024, it is McTiernan's most recent film given his subsequent criminal charges and eventual incarceration related to wiretapping.

<i>Be Cool</i> 2005 film by F. Gary Gray

Be Cool is a 2005 American crime comedy film based on Elmore Leonard's 1999 novel of the same name and the sequel to Leonard's 1990 novel Get Shorty about mobster Chili Palmer's entrance into the music industry. This was Robert Pastorelli's final film, as he died one year before its theatrical release.

<i>The Generals Daughter</i> (film) 1999 film by Simon West

The General's Daughter is a 1999 American mystery thriller film directed by Simon West from a screenplay co-written by Christopher Bertolini and William Goldman, based on the novel of the same name by Nelson DeMille. It stars John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Clarence Williams III, and James Woods. The plot concerns the mysterious death of the daughter of a prominent Army general. The General's Daughter received negative reviews from critics, but was a box-office success, grossing $149.7 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $60 to $95 million.

<i>Idle Hands</i> 1999 film by Rodman Flender

Idle Hands is a 1999 American teen horror comedy film directed by Rodman Flender, written by Terri Hughes and Ron Milbauer, and starring Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson, Jessica Alba, and Vivica A. Fox. The film's plot follows the life of an average lazy stoner teenager, Anton Tobias, whose hand becomes possessed and goes on a killing spree, even after being cut off from his arm.

<i>Battlefield Earth</i> (film) 2000 film by Roger Christian

Battlefield Earth is a 2000 American science fiction film based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. It was directed by Roger Christian and stars John Travolta, Barry Pepper, and Forest Whitaker. The film follows a rebellion against the alien Psychlos, who have ruled Earth for 1,000 years.

The Razzie Award for Worst Screen Combo is an award presented at the annual Golden Raspberry Awards to the worst movie pairing or cast of the past year. The following is a list of nominees and recipients of the awards, along with the film(s) for which they were nominated.

<i>Itsy Bitsy</i> 2019 film by Micah Gallo

Itsy Bitsy is a 2019 American horror film directed by Micah Gallo, starring Bruce Davison, Elizabeth Roberts, Arman Darbo, and Chloe Perrin, and featuring Denise Crosby, Eileen Dietz, and Matty Cardarople. It centers on a family, who moves into an old, secluded mansion where they are stalked by an ancient entity that takes the form of a giant spider. The film itself was inspired by the poem The Itsy Bitsy Spider, and was released in the United States on August 30, 2019, by Shout! Studios, and it has received mixed reviews from critics.

"A Nightmare on FaceTime" is the twelfth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated sitcom South Park, and the 235th episode of the series overall. It premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on October 24, 2012. In the story, aspects of which parody the 1980 film The Shining, Randy Marsh purchases a Blockbuster video store and demands that his reluctant family work in it on Halloween with him.

<i>Gotti</i> (2018 film) 2018 film by Kevin Connolly

Gotti is a 2018 American biographical crime film about New York City mobster John Gotti, directed by Kevin Connolly and written by Lem Dobbs and Leo Rossi. It stars John Travolta as Gotti, alongside his real-life wife Kelly Preston as Gotti's wife Victoria in her penultimate film.

<i>Trading Paint</i> 2019 film directed by Karzan Kader

Trading Paint is a 2019 American sport action drama film directed by Karzan Kader, with a script co-written by Craig Welch and Gary Gerani. It stars John Travolta, Michael Madsen, Shania Twain and Toby Sebastian.

<i>The Quiet Room</i> (2018 film) 2018 American short horror film

The Quiet Room is a 2018 American short horror film written and directed by Sam Wineman. It stars Jamal Douglas as Michael, a man who, after a suicide attempt, wakes up in a hospital and starts to believe that he has awakened a demon. Alongside Douglas, the film stars Alaska Thunderfuck, Kit Williamson, and Lisa Wilcox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quiver Distribution</span> American-Canadian film company

Quiver Distribution is an American-Canadian film production and film distribution company founded in 2019 by Berry Meyerowitz and Jeff Sackman. The company, sometimes referred to as an indie film company, is best known for releasing films The Fanatic, Running with the Devil, and Becky. In addition to its headquarters in Los Angeles, the company has a facility in Toronto. The firm's customers have included Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Sony and Paramount.

References

  1. 1 2 McClintock, Pamela (August 31, 2019). "Box Office: John Travolta Hits Career Low As 'The Fanatic' Bombs". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Harvey, Dennis (August 27, 2019). "Film Review: 'The Fanatic'". Variety. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  3. ↑ Colurso, Mary (July 24, 2019). "Watch the trailer for 'The Fanatic,' filmed in Alabama and starring John Travolta". al. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  4. ↑ Spangler, Todd (February 18, 2020). "Why Redbox Is Moving Into Free, Ad-Supported Streaming Video". Variety. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  5. ↑ "FRED DURST's New Movie 'The Fanatic' Is A Spectacular Box Office Bomb". Blabbermouth.net . September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  6. ↑ Reilly, Nick (September 3, 2019). "John Travolta and Fred Durst's new movie 'The Fanatic' bombs at US box office". NME . Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  7. ↑ "The Fanatic (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Fanatic reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ Abrams, Simon (August 29, 2019). "In Stalker Thriller 'The Fanatic,' Travolta Stalks, But Never Thrills". NPR.org . Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ Kenny, Glenn (August 29, 2019). "'The Fanatic' Review: John Travolta as a Troubled Devotee". The New York Times . Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ Millican, Josh (August 26, 2019). "Exclusive: Devon Sawa on The Fanatic". Dread Central . Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  12. ↑ Mclachlan, Megan (January 2, 2020). "Exclusive: John Travolta defended the film". Awards Daily . Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  13. ↑ "RAZZ NEWZ - The Razzies!". razzies.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.